How we cite our quotes: (Story.Section.Paragraph) or (Story.Paragraph)
Quote #7
It was as if these women found a twin self who saved them from their abused consciousness and chronic physical loneliness; and that twin self is in all of us, waiting only to be summoned. (Letter.8)
Miffed professor Susan Marie explains her idea of God to Lucy, a colleague who has offended her by dressing as Scarlett O'Hara for a feminist ball at their college. Susan Marie says that this idea of God as self was developed from her readings of slave narratives, and it gives a dignity and strength to women, especially, who undergo suffering and confinement. It's this dignity and sacredness that the stereotype of the contented slave—reinforced in Gone With the Wind—threatens to destroy. No wonder she's furious.
Quote #8
But, Lucy, regardless of the "slave" on the television, black women do not want to be slaves. They never wanted to be slaves. We will be ourselves and free, or die in the attempt. Harriet Tubman was not our great-grandmother for nothing; which I would advise all black and white women aggressing against us as "mistress" and "slave" to remember. (Letter.25)
Susan Marie has zero tolerance for the shenanigans pushed by the television industry and proponents of sadomasochism (which sometimes favor a "master-slave" role-playing relationship). Her problem with this is obvious: it reinforces the ideas that slavery wasn't so bad, that women enjoy having their freedom taken away from them, that it's all a game for the enjoyment of someone else. Susan Marie reminds her colleague Lucy that this is a giant NOPE. No backsliding into acceptance of the stereotype will be tolerated.
Quote #9
Stare down the rat, thought Sarah; and whether it disappears or not, I am a woman in the world. I have buried my father, and I shall soon know how to make my grandpa up in stone. (Trip.7.9)
Sarah Davis not only has to bury her father, but she also has to deal with an actual rat that has decided to chill out under his coffin. Yuck (as Andrea Clement White would say). As gross as this is, Mister Rat gives Sarah a useful metaphor for all the offensive and unpleasant people and situations she will encounter in life. Sarah has learned that just like the actual rat, the metaphorical ones will back down under her determined glare. With this knowledge, she's ready to take her place in the world.